T245 Preparing Our Workforce (POW): Increasing Students' Employability by Developing Practical Skills and Competencies

Tuesday, 21 October 2014
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
214

HOW CAN A PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY HELP GEOSCIENCE STUDENTS?:  EXAMPLES FROM AIPG GEORGIA SECTION

Paper number: T245-8
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 2:35 PM – 2:50 PM

Authors

Abstract

The Georgia Section of AIPG has five student chapters within the state. Each university receives one student scholarship plus monetary support for the student chapters and the Georgia Section encourages them to use the funds to help support students at GSA Southeastern conference. The students have opportunities to experience different areas of future employment. We have been able to do direct push and solid auger drilling at least once a year in different locations around the state. Correct soil description methods are emphasized to students and soil and groundwater sampling for chemical analysis. We have visited kaolin and rock quarries, active landfills and closed landfills that capture gas used to run a generator that puts electricity back into the grid. We’ve visited remediation systems that are cleaning soil and groundwater and explain the roles of geologists. We’ve visited consulting firms that specialize in geotechnical and surface geophysics. We still offer fun activities such as gold panning, mineral collecting, and sluice for rubies and sapphires.

The section offers a two day technical conference that students can attend for free and is a great opportunity to network with professionals. Our newest activity is to invite a number of students to an environmental consulting firm’s office and discuss what to expect and what is expected of them with employment. Staff geologists show the students different types of projects they are managing. The students are invited to leave a copy of their resume and spend time over lunch eating pizza and talking with the staff.

In the end most of the Georgia Section activities are directed to the students to strengthen their resume and add to their education and prepare them for employment.